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Alltime Best Rock Guitar Players
Clark Benson I have never played guitar. But I have listened to as much of it as any man my age, or at least any non-Guitar Center employee my age.
The common thread: just about everyone on this list has a totally recognizable, distinct sound. While all of them are incredibly talented, I am less biased towards technical virtuosity than uniqueness and feel (though I grew up on virtuoso hard rock guitarists, to be sure). Have uploaded a few videos (an insanely easy task on Ranker, thanks Paul), and will continue to add more.
While the majority of rocks's greatest guitarists came out of the classic rock era, it has been encouraging to see some new entries from recent years after a "guitar hero lull" in the 90s.Note that I am punishing some of my favorite guitar bands from sending representatives to this list - namely bands with 2 guitarists, particularly "dual leads" (except for Angus), though if the sum was equal to the parts bands like Maiden and Priest would be on here - at some point I will do an "addendum list" that adds guitar teams to the mix. It's the fair thing to do.
The common thread: just about everyone on this list has a totally recognizable, distinct sound. While all of them are incredibly talented, I am less biased towards technical virtuosity than uniqueness and feel (though I grew up on virtuoso hard rock guitarists, to be sure). Have uploaded a few videos (an insanely easy task on Ranker, thanks Paul), and will continue to add more.
While the majority of rocks's greatest guitarists came out of the classic rock era, it has been encouraging to see some new entries from recent years after a "guitar hero lull" in the 90s.Note that I am punishing some of my favorite guitar bands from sending representatives to this list - namely bands with 2 guitarists, particularly "dual leads" (except for Angus), though if the sum was equal to the parts bands like Maiden and Priest would be on here - at some point I will do an "addendum list" that adds guitar teams to the mix. It's the fair thing to do.
- 1
Hard rock, Heavy metal, Folk rock More#2 on the ultimate list“ The Master. Literally didn't play a weak note on record for the entire Led Zeppelin run. Went through a pretty dull period in the 80s but live (and sporadically in the studio) has returned to form in his latter years. „ - 2
Rock music, Folk rock, Blues-rock More#66 on the ultimate list“ Never a more soulful player than Jerry. „ - 3
Rock music, Hard rock, Progressive rock More#1 on the ultimate list“ If he had lived a longer life, I am almost positive he would have been my #1. „ - 4
Rock music, Hard rock, Progressive rock More#7 on the ultimate list“ Over the years my appreciation of Mr David Gilmour just seems to grow and grow, so he's gotta go above Blackmore. Plus I am totally uninterested in Blackmore's Night, so I probably punish Ritchie a bit there. „ - 5
Rock music, Hard rock, Heavy metal More#5 on the ultimate list“ Come back, Eddie, come back! „ - 6
Rock music, Hard rock, Progressive rock More#20 on the ultimate list“ I had a picture of Blackmore in my locker in high school. Monster player and showman - who cares if he was sloppy live at times, in my book that was what made him so exciting. „ - 7 Rock music, Hard rock, Folk rock More#42 on the ultimate list“ Technically, nowhere near the equal of any of my top 20 or so. But Neil almost created the guitar sound that was grunge, and for pure unique feedback stoner crunch nothing beats electric Neil. „
- 8 Hard rock, Heavy metal, Blues-rock More#21 on the ultimate list“ Though not as flashy as Page or Blackmore, Iommi wrote an equal amount of monster riffs, and singlehandedly invented the heavier side of Metal. „
- 9 Alternative rock, Rock music, Progressive rock More#1612 on the ultimate list“ THE monster player of his generation - and perhaps the most diverse rock guitar hero of all time. „
- 10 Rock music, Blues-rock, Roots rock More#17 on the ultimate list“ Part of me is shocked Knopfler made my Top 10 and I have a feeling I'm forgetting someone major, but the man is an absolute master of his craft and while not playing Dire Straits - level awesomeness, he's putting out some decent solo material. „
- 11 Hard rock, Heavy metal#84 on the ultimate list“ Wow. Schenker would rank even higher if he had lasted longer in his prime before going off into whack-job land. „
- 12 Rock music, Jazz fusion, Blues-rock More#16 on the ultimate list
- 13
Jack White
#64 on the ultimate list - 14 Rock music, Blues-rock, Rhythm and blues More#23 on the ultimate list“ Second only to Hendrix (with Page a close third) in "coolest looking guitarist" rankings. „
- 15 Rock music, Hard rock, Pop rock More#3 on the ultimate list“ Although these days he tends to use no more than 50% of his God-given talent (often less), that doesn't mean he's lost it all - and his record in the 60s and 70s speaks for itself. „
- 16 Alternative rock, Rock music, Post-punk#1396 on the ultimate list
- 17 Rock music, Jazz fusion, Blues-rock More#4 on the ultimate list
- 18 Folk music, Alternative rock, Rock music More#53 on the ultimate list“ By far the most original player of the alt-rock era. You've heard his playing in RATM of course, but check out this video of Morello absolutely shredding guesting with The Boss at a concert I was lucky to have attended. „
- 19 Rock music, Hard rock, Folk rock More#78 on the ultimate list
- 20 Hard rock, Heavy metal, Glam metal More#13 on the ultimate list
- 21 Hard rock, Heavy metal, Psychedelic rock More“ The most underexposed Guitar God of alltime. „
- 22 Rock music, Jazz fusion, Blues-rock More#63 on the ultimate list“ Check out this version of Derek and the Domines "Anyday" that Trucks and his wife do (with sick vocals from the singer of the Trucks band who I'm not always a huge fan of) „
- 23
Buck Dharma
Hard rock, Heavy metal - 24 Alternative rock, Progressive rock, Jazz fusion More“ Leader of the Mars Volta. A spectacularly talented and innovative player. „
- 25
Sonny Sharrock
Jazz“ Ask The Ages is one of my top 3 alltime instrumental albums. „
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Alltime Best Rock Guitar Players at 3/17/2011 7:54 AM